Aston backing University Technical Colleges

Aston University Engineering Academy

20th January 2012

Aston University is supporting two University Technical Colleges in The Midlands with the first, the Aston University Engineering Academy currently recruiting students aged 14 and 16 years old for September this year.

University Technical Colleges are a new concept in education. They offer 14-19 year olds the opportunity to take a highly regarded, full time, technically-oriented course of study. The Aston University Engineering Academy opens in September and plans have been submitted to government to develop a further £10m UTC in Dudley.

UTCs provide pupils with an inspiring learning environment, with real industry challenges and regular experience of work, to gain academic knowledge alongside practical ‘hands-on’ experience. Both UTCs that Aston University is supporting will teach up to 600 pupils aged 14-19 years old.

Pupils at the Aston University Engineering Academy and the proposed Aston University Technical College Dudley will study a range of practical engineering qualifications, accredited by City and Guilds or BTEC. Alongside these vocational qualifications, all students would take Maths, English and up to three Science GCSEs, with the option of further GCSEs in German, Mandarin, the History of Technology, Applied Engineering or Product Design. Pupils aged 16 and above would follow either a Professional Technical pathway, an A level or apprenticeship route.

“The developments of UTCs are a key aspect of the University’s widening participation strategy,” explained Professor Julia King, Vice-Chancellor of Aston University. “I believe both will have a significant impact on raising the aspirations of young people in the region to study science and engineering."

Employers’ involvement in the design and delivery of the curriculum is a key element in UTCs. The employers have committed to provide work placements for both students and staff, work related projects, practical ideas and master classes.

Two leading local employers, The Hadley Group and The Thomas Dudley Group, together with Aston University and Dudley College, have submitted a £10m bid to the Department for Education to develop the Aston University Technical College Dudley. If successful, the UTC would be built adjacent to Dudley Sixth, the town’s new A level centre. The new UTCcould open as early as 2014.